Thanksgiving Day in London

Because Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, I take the day off work. The American ambassdor to the UK has organized a Thanksgiving Day service at St. Paul's Cathedral for all the Americans who live in London. Of course, I'm running late.

When I step off the tube, the Cathedral looms gloriously in front of me. It's bigger and more beautiful than I ever imagined. Since the American embassy in Mumbai was just bombed, security here is very tight. The police have blocked off all entrances to the Cathedral except two, and they have to filter everyone through those massive doorways. Needless to say, the line winds all through the courtyard. As I approach I see, with appreciation, that police are checking everyone's bags as they enter.

The Cathedral was built during the Baroque period, in 1673, although I've heard that this is like the fifth St. Paul's Cathedral that has stood on this spot. Designer Christopher Wren stuck it to the man when the government told him during the construction that the church was looking "too Catholic" and he needed to change it. He made minor alterations, just enough to get the King Charles II off his case, but his plans for the huge dome stayed. By the time the government realized Wren was keeping the "Catholic-looking" dome, it was too close to completion to call it off. I have to say, it's an architectural marvel!

The place is PACKED with Americans! I didn't realize how much I missed hearing American accents. I find a seat near the front, with a good view. A girl next to me is turned around, talking to the guy behind her about a bar in town that shows American football on TV.

"Excuse me," I say. "Sorry to interrupt, but did I hear that you know where I can watch some American football?"

"Yeah," the girl laughs. "It's called the Sports Cafe, right by Leceister Square."

"Hey, I'm there!"

She asks, "You wanna go together? I mean, ya gotta watch football on Thanksgiving!"

"Yeah, that'd be great!"

"I'm Stephanie, by the way, and this is Nancy," she says, gesturing to the quiet girl next to her.

"Alicia," I smile. "Nice to meet y'all."

The service is a non-denominational, complete with a couple of ministers, a big choir, and the color guard bringing in an American flag. The American ambassador gives a speech about how welcoming London has been to Americans. In fact, an area of St. Paul's Cathedral has been renovated to become "the American Memorial Chapel", which commemorates the 28,000 Americans who died in the UK during World War II. I'm touched when the Ambassador describes how long it took to build the American chapel, because it was funding purely with donations from the British public. He says, "It was not built by American hands, but by British hands, to honor their American brothers for their service to England." The Chapel is located almost right in front of the altar, and inside is a book with all the names of our soldiers who died in the Second World War. Everyday, a page in the book is turned.

The last song of the service is America, the Beautiful. The color guard ceremoniously begins to process out of the Cathedral, raising the flag so everyone can see it. As the choir's harmonious voice rises to sing, "America! America! God shed His grace on Thee," tears fill my eyes. Slightly embarrassed, I glance to the elderly ladies sitting to my right. They're bawling like crazy, which makes me cry even more. I watch my country's flag pass by me, and I feel so proud. We sing three verses of the song, and I cry the entire time.

Today, I'm thankful that London has been so gracious to its American residents. I'm so moved by the service; it was such a kind, generous, and welcoming gesture. I'll never forget it.

Happy Thanksgiving, my fellow Americans!

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